The Troubling Tropes of “Strong Girl Nam-soon”: A Review

“Strong Girl Nam-soon,” a K-drama series, emerges as a quintessential example of entertainment designed for sheer escapism. It’s a hodgepodge of humor, exaggerated costumes, and a narrative that often defies logic, interspersed with melodramatic moments. In a world that’s increasingly complex and demanding, there’s undoubtedly a place for such light-hearted content that offers a mental break from the stresses of daily life. Even by the standards of this genre, however, “Strong Girl Nam-soon” stands out for its particularly whimsical approach.

However, this show’s journey into the realm of light entertainment does not absolve it from the responsibility of adhering to certain ethical standards. Unfortunately, “Strong Girl Nam-soon” significantly falters in this regard. Right from its early episodes, the series has indulged in blatant fat-shaming and a sensational portrayal of drug abuse, relying on these sensitive topics for narrative progression.

The plot follows the superpowered Gang Nam-soon (played by Lee Yoo-mi) and her family as they attempt to rid Seoul’s Gangnam district of drugs. The synthetic drugs in question grant users superhuman abilities while inducing violent and irrational behavior. The antagonist, Ryu Si-o (Byeon Woo-seok), heads the drug-producing company and is portrayed as a one-dimensional villain with unclear motivations. Meanwhile, narcotics detective Kang Hee-sik (Ong Seung-wu) collaborates with Nam-soon in a joint investigation, leading to a series of convoluted events.

A particularly disconcerting subplot involves Nam-soon’s overweight brother, Nam-in (Han Sang-jo), who is constantly ridiculed for his weight and shown engaging in binge eating. His plight is worsened when he succumbs to addiction after consuming a so-called ‘magic diet pill.’ This insensitive portrayal of weight issues and addiction is symptomatic of the series’ superficial treatment of complex subjects.

The series also delves into gender dynamics, portraying women in Nam-soon’s family as inherently strong while the men are shown as weak. Although aiming to be empowering, the show often reduces this theme to a repetitive and shallow joke about women physically carrying men.

The portrayal of drug use in “Strong Girl Nam-soon” and similar shows may contribute to the harsh public and media criticism faced by South Korean celebrities accused of drug abuse. The series inadvertently highlights the severe societal and professional repercussions faced by public figures in such cases.

Beyond the moral implications, “Strong Girl Nam-soon’s” portrayal of overweight individuals and drug addiction could be less problematic if it were handled with more nuance and sensitivity. However, given the show’s overall lack of depth and subtlety, a more thoughtful approach seems unlikely. The show’s failure to responsibly handle these themes reflects a broader issue in entertainment media, where sensationalism often trumps sensitive and accurate representation.

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